Driven by autos, May retail sales accelerate

Auto sales continue to lead the way--including a double-digit jump from auto dealers--pushing retail growth overall 4.3% higher than May 2013.

Though, without autos in the mix, sales were up only 0.1%, as modest declines were common throughout the rest of the market. Aside from vehicles, building material sales were the only other bright spot.

"Overall sales have been up more than 4% from a year earlier for three straight months for the first time since last summer," said Scott Hoyt, Moody's analyst (Economy.com). "Sales have clearly regained the momentum they lost during the winter."

Meanwhile, consumers are using credit cards to make their purchases at a higher rate than they were last year, according to numbers released by First Data Corp. Thursday.

Spending with credit cards swelled 4.2% year-over-year in April and increased 1.7% between April and May. Overall, retail purchases in May experienced its best month since last year, driven by a 6.7% jump in credit card spending on building materials and supplies (ATM Marketplace June 11).

"Credit card spending growth continued to be strong and led all other payment types," said Krish Mantripragada, senior vice president of information and analytics for First Data. "The surge in spending growth at hotel and travel merchants, building material and home furnishing merchants--where credit is the primary payment tool--was a major driver supported by easing lending standards and payroll growth."

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